As the records tumble, and Lewis Hamilton heads towards a fourth title, surely Michael Schumacher's previously unimaginable tally of seven must be within reach for the Stevenage Rocket.

However, just hours after the scenes of euphoric jubilation that followed his fourth successive British Grand Prix win, the Briton hinted at following his previous teammate, Nico Rosberg's, example and quitting the sport.

"When you set a goal and succeed and have this belief inside of you, it is such a great feeling," he said. "I don't know why I drive as I do, I just feel blessed that I do. The happiest I am, except when I am with my family, is when I have the car on a knife edge.

Asked if he won the title, whether he might quit like Rosberg did so suddenly last year, despite having another year on his contract, Hamilton said: "In terms of contracts and stuff, I can't really say what's going to happen six months from now, except to say I am loving racing. I don't know what is going to happen.

"I love driving and you could say it's unlikely, but you can't say what frame of mind I will be in at Christmas. Hopefully, it will be really good. Even getting another championship, it won't be a case of hanging up my gloves. I will always want to get more, even when I do stop. Right now I'm just focused on getting that fourth.

"I am loving racing," he insisted, "and I am driving better than I have ever driven. I have said that in the past, perhaps with less conviction, but within myself I know that right now I am at my best and I want to stay there.

"I'm still enjoying it and I still have a contract with the team for at least a year so I plan to see that out at the moment," he added.

Referring to the crowd reaction that followed that fourth successive win at Silverstone, a win which equalled Scots legend Jim Clark's record of five British Grand Prix victories, he said: "I don't think any driver gets such energy from the fans. It lifts you up.

"From the start, I could see the crowd and every time I looked from the corner of my eye I could see everyone standing up cheering... every single lap, everyone standing and cheering. I feel that is them egging me on and you don't see that anywhere else in the world."

Having established a strong brand, should Hamilton decide to call time on F1 he would not be lost for opportunities to branch out into other fields, and while he has made no secret of his interest in music, having created his own studio, he also has contacts in Hollywood having made cameo appearances in a couple of movies, not to mention the fashion industry.

Check out our Sunday gallery from Silverstone, here.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by FormerF1Fan, 19/07/2017 9:31

"equator180, that was quite a perceptive remark: "Lewis is a very good driver who has been gifted with some of the best technology the sport has ever had". And of course, last year his team mate, using the very same "best technology" went one better than "a very good driver". "

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2. Posted by Spindoctor, 19/07/2017 8:46

"@equator180
Please let me know of any driver in the "modern" era (say the last decade) who has won WDCs in the 2nd best car?
In today's F1 drivers get whatever the Engineers, Aerodynamicists CFD boffins et al come up with, and are essentially stuck with it for a season."

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3. Posted by equator180, 19/07/2017 5:25

"Lewis is at his peak, knows it and will exploit it. I would think fans following the sport for some years have notice the stance Toto has taken over the past few months,well into last season in one know incident. (taking the side of Lewis over Patty in a team request which Lewis ignored thus showing all who in fact was the boss) of siding with, standing up and making excuses for Hamilton to the extent it is stomach wrenching in some cases. Lewis owns the team, full stop. Lewis is posturing for money, big, big big money. Does he need the money, of course not but to him it is the yard stick of his ability and with his vanity he wants a huge raise to stay (my guess 50 million or more per) and watching Toto be the lap dog he is turning out to be, will make sure Lewis gets it. What a difference between Ron Dennis, who would have smiled and said go for it, see who will pay it and Toto who will bow to the board and plead for the funds to pay Lewis. Lets be honest, Lewis is a very good driver who has been gifted with some of the best technology the sport has ever had, where was Botas last year with Williams and where is he this year with MB, the car is three quarters of the equation. Lewis is gifted but I dought he would bring a Sauber to the podium anytime soon. Its all about the money!"

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4. Posted by edllorca, 18/07/2017 14:19 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 18/07/2017 14:40)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

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5. Posted by -ape-, 18/07/2017 12:40

"Everybody loves Lewis , even the haters adore him in secret.."

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6. Posted by FormerF1Fan, 18/07/2017 9:01 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 18/07/2017 14:40)

""He could just be the brand ambassador for Mercedes..." Oh yes, and so the times that's he's not on a spontaneous holiday and does actually turn up to the event, he can refuse to answer and throw "Mercedes" caps at everyone..."

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7. Posted by mickl, 17/07/2017 20:43

"oh god...he's going to be the next Will.I.Am.............."

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8. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 17/07/2017 16:46

"He could just be the brand ambassador for Mercedes like they were hoping Schumacher would be. It was only the SLS that Schumacher had his hands on (or so was promoted by Mercedes). Could they do the same on future models with Hamilton?

Personally, I'd like to see him return in some capacity to McLaren if he stays in the automotive business."

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